Around the Township Westminster’s Permanent Art Collection Betty Digby
Westminster Presbyterian Church, with its towering steeple, has been an Upper St. Clair landmark for many years. The majestic white spire was added during a 1958–59 building enlargement, but the formation of the congregation began shortly after the end of World War II, when a young Marine chaplain named John Galbreath held a worship service for 118 members of the community in the auditorium of Clifton School, near the site of today’s high school. In 1946, it took a lot of door-knocking for a young minister to form a church and develop ways to serve the community’s needs. The original church building was dedicated in 1949. Since then, the building and congregation have continued to expand, with outreach that affects not only people in our local communities but also those in other lands. It is a congregation with caring hearts, inspired by the spoken and written word, music, and the visual arts. For 39 years, volunteers maintained a changing art gallery in the reception area of the church. But last fall, as volunteer support waned, the gallery committee of Nancy Barnard, Sandy Conley, Betty Digby, Shari Valicenti, Pam George-Valone, and Sue Wyble, along with Jan Baumann, the church’s staff volunteer coordinator, dedicated its efforts to the creation of a welcoming, meaningful, permanent exhibit. They searched for months for artwork that would have a spiritual connection. It was a challenging task, for art is very personal and no one form or style appeals to all. Many artists were invited to present work and over 100 submissions were received. After careful evaluation, 12 pieces The emerged as the final selection. Westminster The Westminster Permanent Permanent Collection Collection was unveiled in early September. Viewers have called this collection “spectacular” and “awe-inspiring” and it is something very special. It’s an assemblage of work by skilled artists whose spirit defines their creations. Each piece stands on its own, but the collection as a whole is joined by a common thread that gives meaning to life. One’s attention is immediately drawn to Rochelle Blumenfeld’s portrayal of ballet dancers with arms reaching to the heavens, to the metaphorical rendering in which Alexandra Eldridge uses eggs and a bird as messengers of eternity, and to the portrait of three intercity children which elicits the appeal that Peggi Habets strives to accomplish. Surrounding these are paintings by other highlyrespected artists. Using his transparent watercolor technique, Bill Vrscak captures a Pittsburgh icon just after a brief summer shower; Shari Finney uses a vessel to invite one to contemplate certain relationships in life; Ron Donoughe’s autumn plein air painting of the river at McConnell’s Mill is reflective; Blue Sky Green by Ron Thurston is bold and colorful; and the silkscreen print Tree Portrait 003 by Justin George and Michael Burch of 68
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Winter 2016
New Academy Press is a four-level art design. Hanging together are a photograph of a coneflower by Nancy Koch and a painting of a peony by Maura Kohler Keeney, both macro botanicals, yet dramatically different. Gallery committee members, left to These celebrated artists— right, are Sue Wyble, Shari Valicenti, Blumenfeld has work in the Betty Digby, Pam George-Valone, Carnegie Museum of Art, Heinz and Nancy Barnard. Not pictured are History Center acquired the entire Sandy Conley and Jan Baumann. exhibit of Donoughe’s painting series of 90 Pittsburgh neighborhoods, Eldridge was commissioned to paint a mural in the 17th century Palace des Vosges in Paris, and Vrscak is one of the most popular and widely-published transparent watercolor artists in the country—all have won awards and recognition for their works. In the midst of all of these pieces is an original Japanese folk art print by Sadao Watanabe. When the concept of a permanent collection was first introduced, the name Watanabe was suggested. Only one of the committee members recognized the name; but within a few months, everyone knew the story of this humble man, whose works can be found in major museums throughout the world and in the White House and Vatican. This bonding came about because shortly after the quest for artwork began, two members of the gallery committee were in the church archives searching for historical data, when one discovered an article in an October 1977 issue of the church’s newsletter announcing the opening of “The Gallery” and describing at length the technique and fame of the sole exhibiting artist, Sadao Watanabe. The two members looked at each other in disbelief. The finding was unnerving! It was like a “God wink.” A biblical print by Watanabe became essential. One other exceptional piece of art that will be included when a national tour ends is Pamela George-Valone’s fiberart quilt that was part of a South African tribute to the life of Nelson Mandela. To recognize and feature the work of gifted artists within its congregation, We s t m i n s t e r h a s Members’ Showcase dedicated the hallway leading to the sanctuary as the Members’ Showcase. This, too, has an outstanding, eclectic collection of art. Everyone is welcome to view the Westminster Permanent Collection and the Members’ Showcase during church office hours: weekdays, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sundays, 8:30 a.m.– noon. n